Preview

The Tour de Langkawi itself has now been given a 2.3 rating by the
UCI, and with prize money totaling US $400,000 it easily justifies its
status as the fourth biggest cycle race in the world.

The first week of the event, which covers over 1600 kilometres, will
take the riders from the west coast to the east, skimming the Thai border,
before heading south almost to Singapore. The mountain stages are being
saved for the second week with stage in each of the Cameron and Genting
Highlands. The latter boasts the steepest climb of any professional
cycle race in the world. The race finishes in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday
18 February.

For many teams it will be an early season tester of training and technique,
but a combination of competition, terrain and the tropical weather will
ensure that no one will be taking it easy.